Heddle frame assembly having an improved heddle rod support



Nov. 26, 1968 R. M. GOODMAN, JR.. ET AL 3,412,762

HEDDLE FRAME ASSEMBLY HAVING AN IMPROVED HEDDLE ROD SUPPORT Filed Nov. 21, 1966 /NVEN'TOR l ROBERT M. GOODMAN,JR.

United States Patent O 3,412,762 HEDDLE FRAME ASSEMBLY HAVING AN IMPROVED HEDDLE ROD SUPPORT Robert M. Goodman, Jr., Kennesaw Road, and Robert N. Suhr, 101 Chestnut Drive, both of Marietta, Ga. 30060 Filed Nov. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 595,959 11 Claims. (Cl. 139-92) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A heddle frame assembly including a rail, a heddle rod, said rod being supported by said rail through a securing means.

This invention relates to loom harnesses and is more particularly concerned with a heddle frame assembly having an improved heddle rod support.

In the past, heddle rod supports intermediate the ends of the heddle rods have been extensively used to assure that the heddle rods, which support the heddles, are disposed in parallel relationship within the frame proper. These prior art supports have usually been quite elaborate devices which permit the incremental adjustment of an intermediate portion of the heddle rod toward and away from its adjacent rail. The installation of such prior art supports has usually required a substantial weakening of the rail, due to the fact that the rail had to be drilled vertically to accommodate the support, thereby increasing the tendency of the rail to bow and warp. Even when installed, the prior art supports did not effectively arrest transverse movement of the heddle rods in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame. Furthermore, because the frame and its associated parts were subjected to appreciable vibration during use, the prior art heddle rod supports became loosened or shifted laterally or vertically.

Briefly described, the present invention which obviates or reduces to a minimum the problems described above, includes a conventional heddle frame in ywhich the top and bottom rails thereof are formed from rectangular tubular metal. The heddle rods, which are inwardly of the rails, are supported intermediate their ends by improved supports, each support being a at rectangular shaped plate which projects through a narrow slot in the back of the hollow rail. Each plate is provided with a plurality of holes which are arranged in vertical and horizontal alignment and are alignable with holes in the slotted web of the associated rail. Expansible pins, which pass through the holes in the web and through the selected holes in the associated plate, selectively x the plate with respect to the rail. The heddle rod or rods are secured to the plate by means of rivets and spacers. Once installed, the support of the present invention does not readily become loosened and will withstand the shocks and vibrations of the frame. lf wear occurs, or when it is desired to alter the position of the plate with respect to the frame, the expansible pins may be punched out of the holes in the frame and replaced by the same size or larger 1ns. p Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a heddle frame assembly in which there is an improved support for the heddle rods.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a heddle frame assembly having an inexpensive yet durable support for its heddle rods.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a heddle frame `assembly which is essentially vibration proof and positively locks the rail and the heddle rod.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in a heddle frame assembly, a support plate which will prevent appreciable transverse movement of the heddle Cil 3,412,762 Patented Nov. 26, 1968 rod with respect to the rail, in a path perpendicular to the plane of the frame.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in a heddle frame assembly, a support for the heddle rod, the support being removable and readily repositionable, as desired.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in a heddle frame assembly, a support between the rail and the heddle rod, the support being an exceptionally rigid support and being installable without appreciably reducing the rigidity of either the rail or the heddle rod.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in a heddle frame assembly, a support for the heddle rod which will withstand wear for an appreciable period of time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a heddle frame assembly in which the support for the heddle rod is resistant to shock and tends to reduce the strain between the heddle rod and the rail.

Another object of the present yinvention is to provide, in a heddle frame assembly, a support between the heddle rod and the rail of a heddle frame, the support being substantially permanent and yet adjustable, the parts of the support automatically taking up to allow for the wear.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a heddle frame assembly which is inexpensive to manufacture, durable in structure, and efficient in operation.

Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. l is a fragmentary side elevational view of a heddle frame assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention 'and showing our improved heddle rod supports;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged v-iew of that portion of the heddle frame assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 which includes the heddle rod support;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded view of that portion the heddle frame assembly shown in FIG. 2; and FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, it being understood that in its broader aspects, the present invention is not limited to the exact details herein depicted, numeral 10 denotes generally the heddle frame of the heddle frame assembly, the frame 10 including a top or upper rail 11 and anbottom or lower rail 12 disposed in spaced parallel relationship.

Each of the rails 11 and 12 is formed from a hollow rectangular tubular pieceof metal, preferably aluminum, and each rail is essentially identical to the other. Therefore, referring to the top rail 11, in FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be seen that the rail 11 includes a pair of opposed upright side panels 13 and 14, the edges of which are joined by a top web 15 and a bottom web 16, integrally joined to define the hollow central portion 17.

Inwardly of and adjacent the rails 11 and 12 are the heddle rods 18 and 19, respectively. As is customary, the heddle rods 18 and 19 are disposed in a common plane parallel to each other and are supported from the end struts (not shown). Disposed between and carried by the heddle rods 18 and 19 are a plurality of slidable flexible metal heddles 20, each being provided with a central eye 21. The eyes of all heddles 20 are disposed in transverse alignment and, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, warp yarns pass through these eyes 21, respectively.

As is customary, at spaced locations along the length of the rails and 11 and rods 18 and 19, supports are provided. Since each support is identical to the other supports, only a single support and its connection to its associated rail and its associated heddle rod need be discussed. The primary purpose of such supports is to assure parallelism between rails 18 and 19, regardless of whether or not the rails 11 and 12 bow.

In FIG. 1, two inch supports, denoted generally by numeral 25, are illustrated; however, only the support between the top rail 11 and its associated heddle rod 18 will be discussed, hereinafter.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen that the inner web or bottom web 16 of the rail 11 is provided with an elongated slot 26, the slot 26 projecting inwardly from the lower surface of web 16 to communicate with the hollow central portion 17 of rail 11. As seen in FIG. 4, the slot 26 is spaced rearwardly from and disposed parallel to the center line C of rail 11, thereby also being parallel to panels 13 and 14.

The web 16, at the central portion of the slot 26, is provided with a plurality of longitudinally aligned holes 27 which project sidewise through the rail 11 so as to be disposed perpendicular to the plane of the slot 26. The holes 27 are cylindrically bored from one surface or panel 13 to the other surface or panel 14 so as to project entirely through the rail 11 adjacent its inner or bottom edge.

Received by one end portion within the slot 26 is a flat, essentially rectangular support plate 28, formed of steel or some other metal, alloy or plated material which is rigid and presents a harder surface to the slot 26 than the material which defines that slot 26. The support plate 28 is provided, at the end portion which projects into slot 26, with a plurality of longitudinally spaced first holes 29, the spacing between the holes 29 being such that they are alignable with the holes 27 when the plate 28 is inserted in the slot 26. A second set of aligned holes 30 is provided in the plate 28 below the holes 29 and a third set of aligned holes 31 is provided in the plate 28 below the holes 30, etc. The holes 29, 30 and 31 are respectively aligned in vertical rows so that as the plate 28 is progressively inserted into the slot 26, successive sets of holes, such as holes 30 and 31, are brought into alignment with the holes 27.

Below the holes 29, 30 and 31, the heddle rod 18 is secured in offset relationship to the plate 28. The securing of the heddle rod 18 is achieved by the passing of a plurality (two) of pins 32 through the heddle rod 18 and through the lower end of the plate 28. In addition, in order to space the heddle rod 18 away from the plate 28,

suitable spacers or sleeves 33 are provided between the heddle rod 18 and the plate 28, the sleeves 33 respectively surrounding the pins 32 and being sandwiched between the heddle rod 18 and the plate 28. It is therefore seen that the plate 28 is spaced from and fixes the position of the heddle rod 18 in a plane essentially bisecting the frame 10. Furthermore, the plate 28 projects outwardly, i.e., upwardly, from the heddle rod 18 and is provided with the holes 29, 30 and 31, at a position outwardly of the upper edge of the heddle rod 18.

It will be understood that the thickness of the plate 28 is approximately equal to the thickness of the slot 26 so that the plate 28 may vbe snugly received in the slot 26. When the holes, such as holes 29, are aligned with the holes 27, a plurality of pins 35 are passed through the holes 27 and through the holes 29 so as to secure the plate 28 firmly in place with respect to the rail 11. Each of the pins 35 is an expansible pin, that is, the pins 35 are capable of expanding and contracting radially and are known as radial spring pins. The length of pins 3S is each equal to or slightly less than the thickness or width ofthe rail 11.

In a relaxed condition, the pins 3S are each slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of holes 27 and, therefore, when inserted, the pins 35 must be compressed so that they till the holes 27 and are firmly frictionally held in place. It will be understood, of course, that it is preferable for the holes 29, 30 and 31 to be of the same diameter as the holes 27, whereby the pins 35 will tirmly engage those portions, when installed, of the metal defining the holes.

Since the rail 11 is formed of aluminum and the plate 28 is formed of steel or some other metal harder than the aluminum, the junction of the rail 11 and the plate 28 resists wear to an appreciable extent. Furthermore, since the pins 35 are radially expandable, and contractable, these pins tend to take up any stress to which the support 28 is subjected within the slot 26. lf the pins 35 become loose in the holes 27, or it is otherwise desirable to remove the pins 35, they may be removed readily by being punched out of the holes 27. Furthermore, oversize pins 35 may be installed, if desired.

It is now seen that the support for the heddle rod 18 is quite rigid and is essentially vibration proof, due to the fact that the connement of the plate 28 within the slot 26 does not permit any appreciable movement of the supported portion of the heddle rod 18, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame 10. Furthermore, since pins 35 firmly fix the plate 28 in the slot, the vertical movement of the frame does not impart any undue vibration to the heddle rod 18, the Shock being taken up by the expansible pins 35.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the rails 11 and 12 may tend to bow inwardly, thereby necessitating the re-position of the plates or supports 25. This may be accomplished simply by removing the pins 27 and inserting the plate 28 further within the slot 26, thereby aligning, for example, the holes 30 with the holes 27 so that the pins 35 may be reinserted therein.

Since the slot 26 is only in the lower web 16 of the rail 11, there is no appreciable weakening of the rail 11, such as would be necessary if it were necessary to create a hole vertically through the rail, as in the prior art devices. It will also be noted that the metal plate 28 is quite wide and is snugly received, as pointed out above, in the slot 26, thereby preventing sidewise movement of the heddle rod 18. lt is also to be noted that in the present invention, there are no threaded elements which may become loosened when the heddle frame is subjected to oscillatory or reciprocatory movement.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the embodiment here chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a heddle frame assembly of the type wherein the heddle frame includes a rail and a heddle rod disposed adjacent the inner edge of said rail, the combination therewith of a support secured to said heddle rod and projecting into said rail, said support being provided with a plurality of rows of aligned holes and securing means selectively engageable with one of the rows of the aligned holes selectively positioning the heddle rod between the inner and outer edges of said rail for securing said support in place.

2. The heddle frame assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said securing means includes a pin received sidewise through said rail and through said support.

3. The heddle frame assembly defined in claim 2 wherein said pin is a radially expandable pin and is in said rail in compressed condition.

4. The heddle frame assembly defined in claim 2 wherein the support is provided with a plurality of holes selectively positionable when said pin is not passing through said support for receiving said pin through any one of said rows of aligned holes.

5. The heddle trame assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the support terminates within said rail and said securing means is selectively engageable with said support at any one of a plurality of positions of said support.

6. The heddle frame assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said support is a flat plate and said securing means is a pin engageable with said plate from one side of said plate.

7. The heddle frame assembly defined in claim 6 wherein said plate is provided with a plurality of holes selectively alignable with said pin and through the aligned hole of which said pin projects.

8. The heddle frame assembly defined in claim 7 wherein said pin is a radially expandable pin in a compressed condition.

9. The heddle frame assembly defined in claim 7 wherein said rail is provided with a slot along its inner edge and one end portion of said plate is snugly received in said slot.

10. The heddle frame assembly defined in claim 9 wherein said heddle rod is in a plane approximately bisecting the heddle frame and wherein said plate and said slot are offset and parallel to said plane.

wherein said heddle rod is in a plane approximately bisecting the heddle frame and wherein said plate and said slot are oifset and parallel to said plane.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,866,908 7/ 1932 Robertson 139-92 3,154,108 10/1964 Kaufmann 139--92 FOREIGN PATENTS 834,737 8/1938 France. 918,020 9/ 1954 Germany.

13,546 1885 Great Britain.. 28,143 1912 Great Britain. 542,953 5/ 1956 Italy. 360,954 4/ 1962 Switzerland.

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

11. The heddle frame assembly defined in claim 9 20 J' KEE CHI Awstam Examine 

